Congressman's efforts will hurt energy industry

I read a recent interview in the Loveland Reporter-Herald with Jared Polis who commented regarding Loveland's recently defeated anti-fracking ballot Question 1, saying he "stayed out of it."

Having led the Loveland campaign against the fracking ban, I feel compelled to point out the hypocrisy of Congressman Polis making that claim. Considering the very public stance he's taken since he became such a vocal opponent of hydraulic fracturing, and considering the work he's done to create an issue committee to put anti-fracking measures on the November ballot, it's not plausible he has "stayed out" of anything.

The fact is, Polis has worked consistently throughout the past year to undermine energy development and production in Colorado, to the dismay of many in his own political party and the extreme detriment of Coloradans. Through his own personal fortune and support, Polis has conducted a war on Colorado's energy industry, forcing the entire state to confront the prospect of multiple deceptive ballot measures that only Polis himself seems to want.

These Polis-initiated ballot measures would create untenable statewide oil and gas regulations in our state constitution — regulations forever locked in without change, unless another vote of the people overturns them.

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That means the ability of Loveland — and any other community — to determine how best to conduct responsible energy development would be lost forever.

Polis' initiatives will hurt businesses and kill jobs across the entire state, including Loveland. That's why hundreds of Chambers of Commerce, businesses and leaders across the state oppose them. Members of his own party, including Gov. Hickenlooper and U.S. Sen. Mark Udall recently came out publicly against the measures, too.

Obviously, Polis is now finding his position unpopular. His own Democratic colleagues will not stand with him because his views on the issue are far from mainstream. It's impossible for him to publicly soften or diminish his position at this point.

Recently, a Denver Post editorial was published entitled "Jared Polis' Big Adventure" which described his spoiled child/tantrum-like methodology of trying to get what he now wants, by personally funding the anti-fracking ballot initiatives for the November ballot. They aptly point out that Polis is simply running the initiatives to use as leverage to try to force the governor and legislature into giving him what he wants. Polis has repeatedly said he'd drop them if an expensive special session gave him the fix he wanted. Some have likened his methodology to "political extortion."

Yet Polis continues to try and "have his cake and eat it too," claiming he supports an "all of the above strategy" on energy development/production. This is an absurd statement that is unbelievable at best. This is the Jared Polis found attending anti-fracking events with far left Hollywood fractivists, like "Gasland" director Josh Fox and actor Mark Ruffalo, known for speaking out for anti-fracking Water Defense Fund (which interestingly also gave money to Loveland's Question 1 initiative).

Coloradans are becoming much more educated about the fear tactics and hype being used to create fear about the energy industry. Like the majority in Loveland who said "No" to Question 1, people across Colorado now understand what is at stake for our cities, our state and our nation, and are not buying the hysteria anymore. So, it's understandable that Congressman Polis might want to moderate his stance.

As a public figure you must "own" your actions and words. Polis can't have it both ways. He can't simply backpedal and think nobody is paying attention. He's said and done too much damage on this issue. And it will continue this fall with the destructive ballot measures he's helped fund.

Had Question 1 passed, Loveland could have found itself in a very precarious legal and financial position, having to shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars like Longmont, where after months of waiting, a Boulder District Court judge just ruled last week that banning hydraulic fracturing is unconstitutional.

Thankfully, Lovelanders did not buy into the "I've been fracked" hype and instead learned the facts and said "no thanks" to a deceptive ballot title and outlandish language that would've been found unconstitutional, also.

Beware though — more is yet to come for the November ballot, thanks to Jared Polis' efforts to fund several other poorly written statewide measures which are equally deceptive. The difference is, these will once again toy with our state's constitution.

Once again, don't be fooled. Get the facts.

B.J. Nikkel is a former state representative and House Majority Whip who served Loveland and Larimer County and is now director for Loveland Energy Action Project.